Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
Government has stepped up efforts to improve road maintenance and safety through the recapitalisation of the Department of Roads, with new equipment being deployed countrywide to strengthen maintenance operations and improve road markings.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development said the ongoing programme includes the acquisition of lowbed trailers to facilitate the movement of heavy road construction equipment such as graders, rollers and bulldozers.
The trailers will allow the machinery to be transported between work sites without being driven on public roads, improving operational efficiency while reducing unnecessary wear and tear on both the equipment and road network.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development is advancing efforts to improve road maintenance and road safety across the country through the ongoing recapitalisation of the Department of Roads’ maintenance units and the acquisition of new road marking equipment,” said the ministry in a statement.
“On road maintenance capacity; the delivery of lowbeds is underway to facilitate the transportation of heavy machinery, including graders, rollers and bulldozers, which cannot travel directly on public roads.”
The Government has also acquired 20 road-marking machines, with two machines being allocated to each of the country’s 10 provinces.
Urban areas will also receive support to improve the visibility and coverage of road markings, which are critical for guiding motorists, protecting pedestrians and reducing road safety risks.
“Clear, visible road markings are essential for guiding motorists, protecting pedestrians and reducing road safety risks. Through these initiatives, Government continues to strengthen road maintenance capacity and promote safer roads for all,” the ministry said.
The latest intervention forms part of the broader recapitalisation of the Department of Roads as Government moves to enhance its capacity to construct and maintain the country’s road network.
The Department of Roads, which falls under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, is responsible for planning, designing and managing national trunk roads, State roads and bridges.
Last year, Government announced plans to further strengthen road maintenance capacity by establishing asphalt plants in all the country’s 10 provinces.
The plants are expected to produce premix for road resealing and pothole patching, allowing maintenance teams to respond more efficiently to road deterioration and reducing reliance on externally sourced materials.
